Travail for the Seven Spirits
Much is being spoken lately about the "IC", the Institutional Church. In all cases, what is spoken is either to confirm the judgment coming upon the church or in defense of her. Whether we are in the IC or not, whether we are in Babylon or not, we are still the church. All of us who are truly justified by the blood of Jesus Christ and have entered into His spirit are part of the church.
The church is in a terrible mess and those in the worst mess have no clue. It is the remnant and overcomers that hold the golden vials and are singing a new song. The wedding feast is being prepared but many called to it are so concerned with their own thing for the Lord and business as usual to recognize the new thing that the Lord is doing. Many are ready to fulfill the parable of Jesus to go out into the highways and hedges but it is not time yet. That has always been our job to call the sinners and unbelievers but now we need to show a wayward church the right way to go. This judgment and discipline to the church must come first before the Bride or the wedding feast is prepared. The ones that have been hearing the call to intercede for the church at this time are part of a tremendous upheaval of compassion and mercy while others could not care less. Jesus is the lamb that was slain but don't you know that the seven spirits of that lamb represent His body, the church of whom we are? The church is suffering and it is a tragedy when the majority cannot even see the suffering, or worse, don't care. So in essence, the travail for the seven spirits is a travail within the seven spirits in self examination and repentance.
Paul gives us the way to escape judgment in 1 Corinthians 11:31:
On that note I would like to break this discussion up into what I think are the major stumbling blocks in the church today toward being a Holy Bride and see what we can come up with in purifying ourselves.
It will be the ones that have ears to hear that will understand and heed the call to travail for the others, now, later or throughout church history. These seven fires of God, no matter how dim, are upon the rock of salvation, will prevail against darkness and shine as a witness to mankind. Threatenings, the promise of judgment and the erasure of names from the book of life are pronounced but through it all will emerge a Holy Bride, purified and made white, ready for her Husband. Get ready.
Look up, not back. If the table of the Lord is being prepared for us to enjoy, then let's invite our friends and neighbors. We need to put on our wedding clothes however and we must make ourselves ready by being dressed in white. Our redemption is secure, now break these golden vials as the precious aroma of sanctification and release them through the prayers of saints into the heavenly heights.
Prayers, poems and confirmation of mercy and compassion follow. Much thanks, honor, hugs and kisses go out to you that bared your souls.
Testing, purging, discipline and correction, all designed to refine us and make us pure. My thorn seems to be in the weakening of even more of my weakest points and it is a spiritual dissipation and a waste of time and an excuse for depression and empathy towards myself instead of for others. By feeling sorry for myself and dwelling upon my own unworthiness, I rob the compassion and mercy that should be reserved for the church. This causes outrage, self punishment and impatience, more tools for the devil to accuse us with. I would suppose that this is where we should come through to have the humility and acceptance of grace to understand where others are at but we must rise above this stupidity and be strong, not weak, we must overcome the flesh, not be overcome by it. That takes putting on the full armor of God and being strong in the Lord. No matter how much grace is sufficient for us, an occasion for sin is not holiness but spots and blemishes that bring the church down and will not be accepted. It involves some self-examination and repentance before we can go out and pray for the deliverance of others. My prayer needs to be the prayer of all of us with: Please Lord Jesus, make us the people that you would have us be and let it begin with me.
Get back to me on the complacency that the church is under. We may want to bring up the luke-warm attitude of having all we need, smug satisfaction, pride, the idea of having a reputation of being alive but yet dead. How about leaving our first love and caring only for our own. What are you hearing from the Lord?
Jay
-Hi Jay,
Mary
I agree wholeheartedly with you and this mission is in my
prayers as you are.
Dear Jay,
I can tell you one thing I have learned--it cannot be done alone. In your
wisdom you already know that. This is not going to be a joy ride. I thank God for you.
We have had an electrical "blackout" in my part of the island and so
communication was not possible. Praise the Lord we are up and running again! With outside temps. of 92 degrees F, and no air conditioning or lights,
all one could do was pray--and that was plenty!
The Lord has placed a burden on my heart for the church such as I have not
experienced before, and an urgency in my spirit that I, and others, should
move swiftly. He made me to understand that the Feast of trumpets-Rosh
Hashanah- in whose time we now are, and the feast of Yom kippur-atonement,
are being telescoped as it were, like the former rain and the latter rain
coming together.
We have been called to blow the shofar-- to call a solemn assembly--to wake
up a slumbering people, to gather them in a spirit of repentance, to prepare
for Sukkot. That as there is a shifting going on now in the heavenlies, so
there is a shifting in the earth realm--where the weather patterns will
change, where the earth will groan with loud roaring- earthquakes?, where
the church is being skaken like one shakes a fruit tree to loosen bad fruit,
so that what remains is good and pure, We are in a fight!!, but Praise God
we already know we win. Hallelujah to the Lamb in the midst of the throne!!
So here is my prayer-
Father, I give you praise. I honour you, I exalt your Holy name, Thank you
for the privilege of being a co-labourer with You and Jesus.
I come humbly to your throne to receive grace and mercy to help in the time
of need.
Father you have drawn the curtain aside and for a brief moment You have
allowed us to see a part of the condition of the church, the Lamb's bride--a
dark part- and in response we cry out to You.
We come against the spirit of Jezebel that the enemy has loosed in the
church. I join my faith with that of my sisters and brothers across the
planet who share this burden to pull down that stronghold in the name of
Jesus. Father send Michael and your warring angels to do battle on our
behalf with that principality for we understand that the battle is the
Lord's.
We thank You that we have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We loose those leaders, even your under shepherds, those who are bound by the
Jezebel spirit. We release them right now from the snare of the devil. We
declare and we affirm that the enemy has no power to deceive them any
longer, and we thank You that You have given us the power to loose and to
bind, and that you back us up in heaven.
Father turn their hearts away from selfish gain, away from the desire to
build their own kingdoms, draw them back to you with loving kindness and
tender mercies, rekindle in their hearts a burning love for you and for your
sheep that are scattered and bleeding and wounded.
Protect your prophets like you did Elijah, that their courage would return
to declare your heart and your mind to your people.
We submit to you Father. We declare your glory in the earth, and to the
principalities and powers in the heavenly arena.
You alone are God, and beside you there is no other god
Father I plead the blood of Jesus on every member of this list. They will
walk about in safety and none shall make them afraid.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.
Amen.
Blessings,
Blessings Jay -
Salvation -
When He took you from the miry clay
When the trumpet blows upon the day
When love has grown within your soul
A crown was placed upon your head
You dressed your Bride in righteousness
Far beyond our understanding
Thank you Lord - for our salvation
Arlette
Mercy
Prayer for the Church
Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." 1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
Father - May mercy be the word that goes forth and not return void this day so that Your perfect will be accomplished in our lives. Mercy is what you have shown us as sinners brought to repentance. And as faithful followers of You Lord - we ask for mercy toward those in the physical (man made) church who know not what they do. Who do not have eyes to see and ears to hear. Who do not realize that they are no longer to be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of their mind by entering into a personal intimate relationship with You.
Lord as we are persecuted for standing firm in our relationship with you and not allowing the lies of the enemy to distort the truth of Your Word, may mercy for others become part of the daily armor that we wear. May it be placed upon our mind as we wake in the morning and as we go throughout the day. May mercy be interwoven with wisdom toward others as we encounter their
persecution for who we are in You. We realize it is hard for those who have not entered into the knowledge that we make up the living temple - the living stones of Your church - to understand those who have. It is hard for many people to let go of the mixture of man made rules intermingled with some of Your truth and enter into a child like relationship with You. To let go of what they think is strength and power and let You be their only source of real power. In Your mercy You brought us through the veil of darkness into Your light. May we be reflections of this light and shine mercy upon the darkness that still remains in the church.
Blessed are the merciful - for they shall obtain mercy. Lord sometimes it is hard to stare into the eyes of those who say they are your church and are not and remember these words. But it is what You ask from us. So as we are maturing into the dedicated and complete Bride of Christ may we in mercy help those who still refuse to turn from the world. We know You come quickly Lord and there is no time to waste in showing the world what the true Bride of
Christ looks like. It looks like You - and mercy is who You are, and who we are.
"Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied." Jude 2
Arlette
Dearest Arlette,
I am sorry that I did not respond with the Joy that welled up in my spirit as I read and agreed in faith with your prayer for Mercy for
Christ's Church. I hope you don't mind but I shared your prayer with others who believe we are called as Esthers in this day, to go
into the inner court of our Beloved King and pray/intercede for Mercy and Deliverance for our brethren -- our "neighbors" whom we are
to Love even as we are ourselves Loved....
Lately, I have been feeling our reaction to the IC is somewhat similar to what women fear most if after having been raped and
brutalized -- they turn to the authorities, hoping to find justice and help in their brokenness -- and instead of receiving the help they
needed, they receive accusation of their own 'seductiveness' by those who would take the blame off of the brutalizer, putting it
instead upon the woman, who "deserved" what she got. We all know the truth of this happening in the natural.. and yet can we see
it has also happened in the Spiritual?
The Church has been raped, brutalized -- used and abused.. and even those who recognize this truth, instead of gathering around
her in prayer and intercession, asking for Justice and Mercy for her sake, have instead turned away from her, mocking her, calling
her unclean.. treating her as if it were her fault that she has been thrown to the mud, assaulted and raped.
I am also reminded of the differing actions of the three sons of Noah, upon finding their father, fallen drunken and naked in his tent,
uncovered ... The Scripture prophetically says.. "These [are] the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth
overspread." (Gen 9:19)
The whole earth HAS been overspread by these 'types' of the three sons of Noah: Ham, Shem and Japheth. The youngest son,
Ham, felt no mercy nor honor for his father at all. Upon discovering his father in the state of drunkenness and nakedness, he went
forth spreading this word of his father's shame. The other two sons, in contrast to Ham, upon hearing of their father's nakedness, in
honor and respect for him, went into the tent backwards, not desiring even to look upon their father's nakedness, bringing a garment
to cover him with, that no other prying eyes might be enabled to gaze upon him in this uncovered, vulnerable and sinful state of
being.
The Word reveals that the two sons who covered their father, were blessed as sons.. and yet the son who had dishonored his father,
by not covering him in his fallen state of nakedness, and by telling others of his drunken state and resulting nakedness, was cursed
-- ever to be a servant unto his more noble brethren.
How long can we, who are not without sin ourselves, continue to pick up stones and cast them at the woman taken in adultery -- for
indeed the IC (and us all) is that! We are in the process of becoming single -- becoming Whole... but there is not a single one of us
(save JESUS) yet! All manner of sin -- against the Son of Man - will be forgiven. but the sin against the Holy Spirit shall not... not in
this age, nor the age to come.
May Jesus continue to sent us forth to learn His meaning of "desiring Mercy.. not Sacrifice".
Clothed in His Mercy and Love - for the rejected and the abused.
your sister, Linda
Hi Jay,
Good morning in the name of Jesus Christ. I believe that the thousand year period is in the future but i could be wrong also. But like you said that is of no importance. What I do know is that I been waiting to fight this war or evil influence of satan all my life and have been fighting it with the power of God and Jesus Christ. Whatever God has put on your heart to start harvesting the field I will be willing to participate. I will take the call to battle. Like the Bible says, if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will be prepared for battle?
Matthew Pearson
Jay
For a about a week now I have pondered in meditation and prayer regarding
the state of the church. By this I mean the professing church, for the true
church appears to be hidden within the professing church (assemblies of
believers in various denominations). The true Church, the Divine Fellowship
of Believers, the Body of Christ, consists of those who have submitted
themselves over to the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Jesus Christ
sends the Holy Spirit from the Father into the lives of believers. He does
this when a believer is prepared to accept the Holy Spirit. Only He knows
when that condition of acceptance exists in the heart and mind of those that
profess "the Way".
What confuses this issue has a lot to do with the "partial" gospel of the
kingdom that most often gets preached to the world. First, the preaching
should only be the verbal counterpart of the experience. The experience is
the collective "oneness" of believers who desire with all their heart to
minister to one another and to share with one another their personal
experience with God. This is the Divine Fellowship of Believers - the Body
of Christ. Jesus is the head of this corporate body of believers. The
Church is his body on this earth and he inhabits this body with the Holy
Spirit who does His bidding as He mediates (brings us into perfection in
God) on our behalf with the Father. At the same time, these believers are
with Him, in the place he prepared in Heaven. And further, we are one
spiritually with Him and all true believers through the Holy Spirit If we
as believers are walking spiritually then our will is reflecting His Will
(made so by the Holy Spirit and our desire to be so) and this is dynamic and
constant, second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, week
by week, month by month, year by year, both night and day, while at sleep or
awake, in all circumstances, at all times. And if our will is so inclined
to be in obedience to His Will then the transformation is underway and will
continue as our mind and character gets remade in the image of the mind and
character of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit works with our spirit to effect
this transformation.
The human soul is our mind and character and that includes our rational and
emotional features, our motivational features, our concepts, thoughts, and
so on. The soul is born with the body when our spirit enters this physical
dimension. The purpose of entering this dimension is to build a soul. We
are also born a breathing "soul" a biological form of life. This "soul" has
the parts body, soul, and spirit. The body is of bones and flesh. The
spirit is our unique spiritual identity and is eternal. The soul when not
talking about the whole person is the mind and character of that person. As
members of the Body of Christ we are to be so intimately involved with each
other that we are "one" soul and work together in one accord and minister to
one another according to the gifts and abilities given to us by God. We are
to me growing in the role of co-workers with God.
When we become "one" with God we become "one" with the Divine nature -
partakers of the Divine nature. If then we are "one" with the Divine nature
we are "one" with Eternal Life which is an aspect the Divine nature, and we
have (in the present tense) eternal life. But we also inherit eternal life
much like a son lives on the land that he will inherit from his father.
It is through the union of the spirit and The Spirit that the transformation
into the likeness of the mind and character of Jesus Christ can progress.
This is the personal unity of man and God - the personal experience - being
born again. It can be contrasted to the impersonal unity of all things
which cohere in the Holy Spirit. For IN Him we live, move, and have our
very being. But unless we have the personal experience which is only
available through Jesus Christ then we are dead in trespasses and sin. So
separation from God or unity with God is an issue regarding our spirit and
His Spirit and is a separate issue from the issue of how His Spirit
maintains this physical dimension into which we are born.
But all this said so far is only to get to this one point. If we are
partakers of the Divine nature - "one" with God through Christ then we are
"one" with the main attribute of God and that as everyone thinks they know,
is LOVE. The Christ like character exemplified and demonstrated the love of
God. That is how we know we are one with that love because our character is
growing and similarly exemplifying and demonstrating that love. A true
believer manifests the love of God in everything they do. The love can be
seen in several ways. The way God first loved us and still loves us. The
way we learn to love Him. But even more mature is the love that is
expressed from God through a believer (the donor) to another believer
(recipient) and back to God and then back from the recipient of that love to
the original donor. This is what ministering to one another is all about.
And to help each believer help the other believer and to help each other and
the believers collectively, God has given gifts and abilities. But we all
have love. And we all have a Christ like character. Or we should.
And what is the end result of that intimate, collaborative, supportive,
interaction between believers and between the body of Christ and the world
at large? It is the physical expression of the love of God. Before the
crucifixion Jesus Christ demonstrated it to all and after his resurrection
and on the Day of Pentecost made it possible for true believers to become
his literal flesh and bones, each the temple of God, collectively his church
(assembly of those coming together to minister to one another). It is
through the Holy Spirit that we the believer become his flesh and bones, the
literal Body of Christ. It is therefore expected that this Body of Christ
have the same witness, power, and attributes as did as the Son of Man
(Jesus Christ) when he physically walked upon the earth.
Those that are truly participating members of the Body of Christ understand
this awesome role of being individually co-workers with God while also being
members of the Body of Christ. In Ephesians 5 verse 22, Paul is providing
instructions to husbands and wives, but just cannot help himself and
digresses a bit about the Body of Christ because of a similar kind of
intimacy (not sexual) that is involved. It is a beautiful set of verses and
into verse 30 Paul says. "For we are members of His body, of His flesh and
of His bones". And then a little further on he says in verse 32. "This is
a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church". These
passages when read together are so clear they do not need further
explanation so please read them. This is not symbolism such as when we
break bread and drink wine in remembrance of Jesus Christ. This is
literally true. Our flesh is His flesh because His Spirit is one with our
spirit and our mind and character is being transformed into the likeness of
His mind and character. This is why Paul was so distressed at any signs of
schism. We are the Body of Christ. These are words but think upon what
that actually means. The Body (the flesh) is to be in subjection to (our
spirit one with His Spirit). The Body is to reflect "one" Will.
It is the Body of Christ that is His witness to the world. Those that do
not believe must when they experience the Body of Christ also experience
Jesus Christ. That is one of the purposes of the Body of Christ. When we
preach the gospel we must preach the whole gospel. We should not deceive
those taking an interest in Christianity into thinking that salvation is
free. Salvation is freely available but those wishing to be saved from sin
and the devil must be prepared to give their all to Jesus Christ as He gave
all for them. "I surrender all" as the song goes. Only if we are prepared
to surrender all to the Will of He who we accept into our hearts will we
move from professing believer to true believer and then receive the Holy
Spirit and inherit Eternal Life. So many professing Christians are "told"
by the preacher they have the Holy Spirit because they have professed
certain doctrines regarding the saving role of Jesus Christ. Only Jesus
Christ gives the Holy Spirit, not some preacher. In the book of Acts there
are numerous examples of true believers receiving the baptism of the Holy
Spirit. But this is not so evident in most Christian
churches/denominations. Neither, is the intimate fellowship between
believers. The New Testament writings make it clear that being saved and
being a member of the Body of Christ are both dependent upon receiving the
Holy Spirit. I know I have the Holy Spirit because I daily witness the
transforming work in my life. But that is not good enough. I also know I
have the Holy Spirit because I desire to have this intimate fellowship with
true believers so we can minister to one another. Additionally, I know I
have the Holy Spirit because I received the baptism in a manner similar to
that explained in the book of Acts.
The place Jesus prepared for those in "oneness" with him and each other is
the kingdom of heaven ( a connecting point of souls in Heaven in the
spiritual dimension ) and those that enter this place are citizens of the
kingdom. It is a spiritual place but someday will manifest also as a
physical reality, when the church has been readied (I believe). The church
is the bride of Christ and must be made ready. I call the transformation
into the likeness of the mind and character of Jesus Christ as well as
citizenship to the kingdom the New Reality - the God based perspective. It
is indeed a new reality, a new mind, a new character, new purpose, and
fundamentally a new way of perceiving life.
And so we finally get to your email having laid the foundation for
addressing it. I am witnessing a very strange phenomena with many
Christians that of late I have been in contact with. Those few that agree
there is not only a scriptural basis but a spiritual need for such intimate
fellowship have a very hard time following through with that knowledge.
They have time for many things but when it comes to developing this
experience of unity found in the Divine Fellowship of Believers they seem to
always put it second, even second to church attendance. Rarely have I seen
regular church attendance reach any of the depths of sharing and one on one
ministry that is characteristic of this fellowship. There is no reason why
it cannot happen on Sunday AM church service but this is what is
characteristic of such a church service. First one enters the door from the
back of the church (front of the building) and as they face the front
elevated pulpit area they see the back of everyone's head. There is little
eye contact. They stand and sing together in a mostly orchestrated
environment. If we are lucky there will be a few testimonies and then comes
a group prayer, a sermon, the offering plate and finally a benediction. Some
churches kneel to pray, some have their people hold up their arms, and so
on, just forms of worship. After the church service and for the most part
it is safe to say that most of these people won't meet again until the next
Sunday. Once in a while, because the pastor or other church leader knows
that not only does he not know their names most of them don't know each
others names. This is of course because they never have any intimate and
regular fellowship. They dare to call a picnic, a bowling outing, a dinner,
and things like that fellowship and they let their congregations believe
that is what true Christian fellowship is all about. They know that there
is not a half decent chance of getting these people seated in such a well
organized manner, to even participate in such intimacy. They hope that
summer camp or a retreat will do the work for the church leadership.
Because they know that's as close to intimate as their people will get and
perhaps most only do so because they won't see each other again anyway.
But yet those same churches will go on about their missionary efforts and
how they help the needy, all of course with the regular tithes of the
congregation. These church leaders are not equipping the saints to minister
to one another. Rather they are teaching the saints to get their spiritual
feeding from a human pivotal point at the front of the church behind the
pulpit. Some churches have their own counselors and trained helpers to help
members of the church congregation with their problems. But rarely can I
find churches and homes of the members occupied by several or more believers
meeting to minister to each others needs.
Of course there are always exceptions, but I speak of what I have found to
be the norm mostly everywhere I have visited. So called church leadership
is not equipping church members to minister to each other in the New
Testament sense. Nor is this church membership interested in such unity.
Rather they are teaching by example that you don't even have to know each
others names. You should never feel that if someone else is suffering then
you also are suffering. You should never worry about the person in the seat
beside you because the pastor's door is always open. They disregard the
teaching of Jesus, 'if you do it to the least of these you do it to Him, and
if you don't do it to the least of these, then you don't do it to Him'. No
one takes this stuff seriously any more. Pastors are too busy doing "God's
work" to have time to even meet everyone in their church. Notice, I said
"their" church. Obviously the Holy Spirit is NOT managing spiritual growth
in a church so run. But at odds with this is the great line up of
speakers. Could it really be that Christians are being trained to be
"hearers of the word and not doers of the word"? I use the word "trained"
here on purpose.
We are told in the scriptures that we wrestle not against flesh and blood
but against principalities and powers that are not of this world. Could it
really be that the devil has cleverly managed to influence church leadership
and training programs for the many, many denominations such that the
orientation of behavior and organization never has to address this intimate
fellowship. There are always alternatives. In effect this would put the
flesh in charge of running the denominations and bar the Holy Spirit from
doing the required work in the lives of believers.
This situation is analogous to a drugged stupor. When someone is drugged
they just don't really understand what is going on and the affect of their
actions. They are in their own little world. This is a world that is so
very busy doing God's work (as defined and organized by man) that they don't
have time for God. Is this paradox really possible. I am beginning to
believe that it is. There is an interesting example in the book of Acts
where even the Apostle Paul repeatedly refused to take the warnings given
through others by the Holy Spirit, to stay away from Jerusalem. This is a
somewhat controversial set of verses but I will use it to make my point
anyway. Paul said he was "bound by the spirit (his spirit)" and did not
fear the warnings because he was not afraid to die. But Paul took other
warnings at other times to heart, just not this particular episode. It did
not occur to Paul that his ministry and the people being helped were more
important than his life (at least it did not appear to occur to him in this
present context). Certainly, God can turn all things into something
positive but I think this episode in Acts may be there to help people like
me understand the seeming blindness that can overcome even the most sincere
Christian. And Paul did say that he faced great struggles between the flesh
and the Spirit. And let us not forget that Paul was just as human as the
rest of us. So I don't want to digress about the validity of my
interpretation but that would be the first thing some readers of this
material would seize upon in order to dismiss the entire subject. And this
would make them blind, because I give them such an opportunity, but on
purpose.
No one was able to break Paul of this compulsive intent to go to Jerusalem.
And per the warnings he was thrown into prison and many used the opportunity
of his being there in Jerusalem for their wicked ends. But true to fashion
God made good things come out of the event. But Paul could have been busy
with some of the churches that really needed his intervention.
We have been witnessing what I call Cycles of Schism. A group of believers
breaks away from another group usually because of doctrinal or worship
issues. They do this instead of trying to reform that church they are
breaking away from. They also do this because they do not have the intimate
fellowship discussed above nor the love that is characteristic of that
fellowship. As they too grow into a large organization they begin to suffer
from the pollution of things that Paul was constantly contending with in
many of his writings. Again, because they did not continue or never had the
intimate fellowship of which I speak and which is to be characteristic of
the Body of Christ. To sum it up in one sentence the pollution resulted
from walking according to the flesh versus walking in the Spirit.
Eventually, this church also falls into deep unrecoverable schism. And
while all this is going on, what is happening to all the believers. This is
a most serious issue. What is happening to all those converts in the midst
of all this schism??? This is what I mean by teaching the full gospel.
Teaching the full gospel means teaching the New Reality. The issue is HOW
TO LIVE IN GOD. What value are a 1000 converts whose lives and witness are
destroyed as they again entangle themselves with the flesh and the world.
We are too concerned with evangelism, prophecy, etc., of those ignorant of
the plan and purpose of God in Jesus Christ. We should be concerned. But
it appears that Paul spent most of his time teaching what it is to be a
member of the Body of Christ. In terms of these teachings we must honestly
admit that the Holy Spirit is being blocked by church leadership who set
themselves up as the only or one of the few human pivotal points of
spiritual care for any given church. That care should be coming from all
believers to all believers. That care should be administrated directly by
Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Things are so bad that if someone goes into a church and begins to dress
down the church leadership and/or congregation regarding this issue they are
likely to be physically thrown out of the church, named as a trouble maker,
a false prophet, or even a devil. And they will be thrown out either by a
couple of big boys in the church or by the police - most likely the police -
and all in the name of Jesus Christ. Arghh!!! that really hurts.
Maybe this is why the devil is so proud of himself. Perhaps the second
coming will take as long as it takes the true church to smarten up and get
holy, sanctified, and truly transformed into the likeness of the mind and
character of Jesus Christ. We are being told as members of the congregation
or as trained leaders of the church, that Jesus Christ is coming in the very
near future. Apart from the fact that this belief could be based on faulty
translations, to make it fundamental to driving evangelism of the world
(let's get them saved before the world comes to an end) is to take away from
the most fundamental Christian behavior there is and that is to be a loving
and intimate member of the Body of Christ. We should evangelize out of love
and as members of the Body of Christ where that body demonstrates and
manifests the love of God and is a collective witness of Jesus Christ and
all for which he stands as an example, teacher, savior, mediator, Lord and
King.
I want so much to change this situation but also I realize that only through
His Spirit will this situation change. But yet I am a true co-worker. I am
committed to His service. I want with all my heart to help equip the
members of the Body of Christ so they are able and desirous of ministering
to each other towards their edification. I believe this is the devil's
single most important strategic position, that is, to keep believers from
re-establishing this unity and intimacy, for if they do the power of Jesus
Christ will again become evident in the church and the church will be in a
position to to lead the world into the Way of Truth, Love and Righteousness.
This will force the devil to play all his cards. And this will then bring
on the second coming. But I do not preach this aspect of the second
coming. I just believe it. What is most important is to obey God in all
things and of course there are priorities one of the top ones being the
condition of the Body of Christ. Today it is suffering. It is my business
to be a blessing to the Body of Christ. If Jesus comes tomorrow that is
just great. If he comes next month that also is great. If he comes next
year that too is great. Even if he comes in 10 years that is still great.
But if he chooses to come in a 100, 1000, or 10,000 years I can live with
that. It is not important to me when he comes for I am already "one" with
Him and alive in his redemptive love and when I shed this body I will no
longer have to contend with the flesh and I will inherit a glorious body so
that I might see Him whom I believe and love and serve. What then matters
is that I serve Him as He requires. What does anything else matter as long
as I am serving Him as He requires. Serving Him means being a member of the
Body of Christ and helping that Body be a living witness to His love that
should flow like a river from my soul and that should be like an ocean from
the Body of Christ. Come to me, He said, and that means be a part of my
body and love as I love and direct that love as I direct you. What else
could possibly matter more than this. My greatest reward is that I might
continue to express the love of God as His co-worker
for ever into the future. It is a privilege, and honor, and the greatest
treasure one could ever have, to be "one" with He who is Eternal Love and
serve Him and be part of His Will.
Thank you Jesus for making me one with you and the Father and for giving me
your Spirit so that I might be transformed into the likeness of the mind and
character of Jesus Christ. And thank you for Jesus, my friend because of
whom and in whom I know the one and only true God. Thank you for your
Spirit that will be with me forever. Thank you for Eternal Life. Thank
you for making me a co-worker in your purpose and plan for all eternity.
And finally, dear Lord, thank you for the Body of Christ, the church, the
Divine Fellowship of believers, a place where I might be with you in Heaven,
and the New Reality.
Yours in Christ - Ted
============================================================
Thanks Ted,
This reflects the heart of the Father. It needs no comment from me.
Jay
Hi Jay, just a comment on the word judgment, It is often used in the place of discipline. God will discipline (correct strongly)
His people until they attain the righteousness of the pure and spotless Bride. Judgment is reserved for the unbelievers and
those who bear no eternal fruit (the desolate church - John 15). There is only one judgment, that being at the end of the age.
During old testament times God judged Israel because Jesus could not intercede for them and stand in the gap between the law
and their sin. That has past. Those who live in the Old testament are quick to point out how God judged Israel and the nations
around them, however this is not applicable in New testament times. By the way New Testament times are the end times.
I spent some time praying about the abomination of desolation and I came to see through the guidance of the Holy Spirit that it
was/is Israel. It is Israel who is the Abomination of Desolation. Jesus cursed (pretty strong reaction to not bearing fruit) the fig
tree (a symbol of Israel) because it was desolate, He also said the kingdom would be taken from them because they did not
bear the fruit thereof. The Jesus died and was resurrected and the church was born at pentecost. 30 years later the temple is
destroyed and it lays desolate until this day. Some think it will be restored but I think that the abomination of desolation
scripture (Matt. 24) has already been fulfilled.
I hear people talking about the church entering the 3rd day. There is so much foolish stuff going around that has almost no basis
in scripture. Have you heard and explanation of this or have some scriptural incite into what this means from scripture.
This weekend we had a brother here from YWAM who has been helping us establish our house churches. He had a lot of
insights and some excellent proven methods for starting and growing them. House church is the vanguard of the church and is
the method by which God is going to bring many, many people into the Kingdom. I could send you some tapes if you are
interested.
Blessings, Paul Weigel
=======================================================
Hi Paul,
I agree with you but my idea of judgment goes somewhat further. I see a difference between the passing of judgment and the execution of it. Judgment will come on all of us, those in Christ have been judged innocent already.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
God may judge things as good or He may judge things as bad, a judgment does not necessarily mean a bad thing or only for unbelievers. When a judge judges a person innocent, that is good but if guilty, then like you say, discipline and punishment may follow. I also believe that the judgment of God has been with us from the beginning as well as in the future and if the Bible says that judgment begins with the house of God, then it is a progressive judgment. It is my opinion that the judgment upon the church has started already and yes, discipline will follow and is already going on.
As to the abomination of desolation, we discussed these very things already. You also mention listing scriptures concerning the third day. No foolishness there, it is simply that a thousand years is as one day and we are entering the third millennium of the church age. This is the same thinking that we are also entering into the seventh day of man on earth, our sabbath rest. If there is any foolishness to it, it would be that it is a foregone conclusion and any stress made upon it would be over doing it. It is just too simple a concept to make much fuss over but understanding that it is near is important to some. Again, it would involve a pre-millennial position, which is fine with me but for myself, I am not going to make a ministry out of something so obvious. Unless I am missing something in this teaching, this is my take on it.
Jay
June 18, 2001
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 1 Peter 4:17, 18.
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
It is on my mind about a solemn assembly, and it would be
easy to write to you and say O.K. lets go for it. But I think that
isn't what you want to hear - I daresay we've all had experience of
the verbal agreement that didn't come to anything in various churches
we've all been involved in - agreeing is the easy part! I can tell
you instead what seems to be in my interior about it and you say if
it accords with your experience. My heart wrenched to see your sorrow
for the church. I have a big lump of that sorrow which has not
disappeared over the years, and which I have found hitherto
impossible to communicate to anyone: mostly people assume it arises
from unresolved hurts inflicted, or unforgiveness etc. and usually
try to be helpful and say "God wants you to put all that behind you
now". But I find it is as fresh as ever whenever I look, it's still
there and I am afraid to yield to it because it is so painful. But I
will if that is what the Lord is leading me to do. Only I don't want
to go alone. Up until I joined this discussion group I didn't have
an "assembly" even to call, but I see my foolishness, the Holy Spirit
is not restricted by distance, or afraid of modern technology!
much love to all
In Christ, Sandy
It feels like you are reading my heart and my mind-Bless you Jay.
I am signing up right now for the Solemn Assembly, with fasting. It has
been on my heart for 3 weeks now-such terrible travail over the body of
Christ the Lamb's bride.! I long to see the fullness of Christ in her and I
am willing to do spiritual battle for her.
Ada.
You sent out this request to the list this morning just as I was singing a
song to Him that He had put upon my heart. So I am attaching my song - which
is my prayer to Him. It is what I hear and see Him saying to me. You wrote
to us - "What are you hearing? If the Lord leads you to pray and travail over
the condition of the church and the judgment to come, share the prayer here."
That's the day - the day of your salvation
When He took you from the miry clay
And He placed you clean upon the rock
That's the day - The day - of your salvation.
That awakens your eyes to do what's right
That's the day - the day of your salvation
When striving goes and freedom reigns
That the day - Praise God - the day of your salvation
That's the day - of your salvation
A love so strong that melts away the pain of even the darkest day
And brings forth a hope and joy and peace when all around you
Seem lost and confused - can't find the way.
Then you know - you'll know - He always loved you
He always loved you
Praise God for your salvation
A head that once was left for dead
But He saw that which would bring life
And light and mercy to do what's right
Oh thank you Lord - thank you God, for our salvation
The day of our salvation
Foundation first of Holiness
The foundation of Your Holiness
Then you took your hand and placed upon us
Mercy - strength - power
And beauty beyond our understanding
Humbly - joyfully - I thank You God - for our salvation
_______________________
Isaiah 55:11 "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." And Noah began [to be] an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was
uncovered within his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid [it] upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of
their father; and their faces [were] backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. And Noah awoke from his wine, and
knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed [be] Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his
brethren. And he said, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, and
he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. (Gen 9:20-27)
Glad to hear from you again. There is no doubt in my
mind that prayer is the key. Thanks for your concern
for all of us. God has in the past, and will continue to
do so until Jesus comes -- I believe 3/4ths of the way
through the seven year period which has been called
the tribulation, as I have shared with you previously.--
I also believe there will be no more division or any
other forms of carnality when He comes to gather
His people. Turning 76 years old today means, among
many other things, that I probably will not change too much,
if any, before He comes; but if God shows me otherwise
from His Word, so be it, and I will change.
In His love and grace,
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